Almost 30 years later, and this show is so great to listen to. I was one of the lucky few that actually got in. A friend of mine won the tickets on a radio show and drag a few of us along. It was definitely a rare and epic event. This soundboard is definitely the best copy.

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Had to call in a favor from BGP people to get in the door for this!
As a previous reviewer correctly stated there had to be twice as many outside than got in. Remember BCT is the Berkeley High school auditorium. Enjoyed the banter from Bobby Phil and Jerry. Others here mention Jerry's apparent lack of interest, who knows if that's how he felt or not, but without question he was visibly frustrated. After Dupree's with his back to the crowd he gave an exacerbated shrug. Held both his arms up and let them fall ( monitors? Flubbed lyrics?) Was still a special night.Beautiful recording too.

One-- I enyoed this start to end.
Two-- This acoustic Throwing Stones is perfection. A nice choice for an unlikely acoustic number as it turned out to be the most surpringly impressive number of the performance.

Terrific quality SBD.

I have an AUD recording of this show on a 90min Maxwell XlII cassette tape. Yeah, remember those. I guess some even older fans will say "you young whipper snappers I have it 8 track" or reel to reel.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a tape deck in like 10 years or so. So it's nice to dig around the attic pull a few out and then track them down on the archive every now and again.

For what it’s worth is that this show circulated to me at least as a GD show, not that scratching out the old set lists, dates, cities and venues were an accurate way to keep track of things. All that being said, the show is terrific no matter what the "title" of the "band" is.

The audience recording I had was average at best, but one cool feature of AUD recordings is sometimes hearing the crowd respond to a particular high point in the music. This is the case me when the (when I had no wings to fly) part is sung during "Attics", the crowd just erupts. I guess that resonated with me.

Who knows? Maybe someday, somebody will get a matrix so I can enjoy both a SBD and AUD blend.

I didn't even know about this show, guess I was kind of out of the scene by this time.

Anyway, great sound, cool show, would have loved to have been there! EXCELLENT Attics, and as others have mentioned, though I was never much of a Vince-fan, either, he sounds really nice here.

This is a true gem, and finding it made my day today! This has got to be the only phil and friend's show with Jerry, and it sure is a great performance considering the era. Check out the banter by the guys during the intro, Bob is really funny as he explains how every band sits down when they do their acoustic performances on MTV and that's why they decided to stand up for this acoustic show haha! See the link from the review below for a pic, and yes they are standing up!
Download this now for a great late era acoustic Dead performance (maybe the last acoustic show evr???)!

a picture from this show and phils basses:

http://www.maizeguitars.com/basses.htm


this show is great, yeah jerry forgets a few lyrics but so what, the playing alone makes up for it. for late era dead this is a gem and also a rarity. anyone know of any other acoustic shows between 90-95?

this show would be great to see on video, to bad it wasnt filmed, or maybe it was? anyone know

Hands Down the show that really got me to give a devoted ear to the Grateful Dead. I am yet to listen to another show that is sung with this sweetness and feeling of nostalgia, and the techie troubles give the show a sense of humor and light-heartedness that I haven't heard from them anywhere else.

I can recall being a little critical while at this show. But it was acoustic and I was there.Still it's great to go back and pick out the priceless moments.I don't remember going to the show knowing it was going to be basically acoustic Dead. Does anyone? This is a must download for novelty sake.

Jerry gets the last word on the monitor situation: "On the other hand, f**k it."

Billed as a Phil and Friends show. The first actually.

I agree. what is an acoustic set without Jerry telling his crew that the monitors are too high. ;)

Man I love Berkeley. Anything that happens there is a show. Great mix of people, some who take themselves too seriously, others who To enter the debate on what this show should be called, I would like to ask what the tickets were billed as. Was it "Phil and Friends" or GD or what? I've had this recording for a few years labeled as GD.

By the way, I like all the monitor issues, etc.., cuz it gives the whole gig a down home impromptu ambiance without screwing the whole performance up. I miss you jerry!

I like it and couldn't care less what the "problems" may have been. If the object here is to nit pick every misstep or foible, there were a gazillion of 'em. Keep looking, you'll find all kinds of stuff to gripe about. Do all of the negative critics here actually play an instrument and realize how difficult it is to be "on" night after night after...? Having been an L.D. that worked with very early NRPS, etc., etc., I can tell you, there's no such thing as a perfect show. This recording is a true gem. And, it's FREE! Enjoy Phil et al's gracious uploading policies. Allot of people worked real hard to make this all happen.

Best,
CT

They had serious monitor problems at this show...and Jerry was getting pissed. I was one of the lucky 2,000 people who made it into this show. I swear there were more people outside than inside. One guy was trying to trade his car for a ticket...that's dedication! Jerry was also upset with himself when he messed up Dupree's. I think everyone else was ok with it though. It was a novel show but not as good as people say...not with the sound problems and Jerry's lack of interest. And no encore!

This show was magic, I feel so blessed to have been there. I am glad to find a new recording, my old tape is worn out.

Blessings, Sunny

Not as tight or near-perfect as the '80 acoustic stuff and not as fun and spontaneous as the '70 acoustic stuff, this is still an absolute keeper. These acoustic shows were so rare and it must have been a real treat to be in the audience; for the lucky ones it's surely one of those proud "I was there!" shows. All is forgiven for the flubs (..."Dupree's'" lyrics for example (but it's "DUPREE'S"!)). It's grate to hear the acoustic Dead (sans drummers) at this late stage. "Lazy River" is beautiful and Vince's work on this whole recording is tasteful and thoroughly listenable. RIP brother. The sound is perfect and you really must dig it. "ATTICS"!

I can't even begin to express how grateful I am to finally have a SBD recording of this show! A friend and I had fifth row seats for this show, and it was an amazingly beautuful performance. What a rare opportunity it was to see some live acoustic Dead! For years the only recording I've had is an audience source, and it leaves a lot to be desired.

This was indeed the very first "Phil and Friends" show. It was a benefit for the Berkeley Education Foundation's music program, of which Phil was a part of when he was a kid. It was probably billed as Phil and Friends so as to attract less attention then advertising it as the Dead, but that's just a guess on my part. Either way, it sold out fast, and lucky for me tickets went on sale on a Monday, instead of the usual Sunday, so the lines were much shorter.

This is a fantastic recording of a rare performance. A short but sweet show. There may be a few flubs here and there, but this show will always a special place in my heart. Definitely a must have! Enjoy!

I too am surprised it is still getting so many hits. Does anyone have and CD artwork for this show???? Or know of a site that does? I am very artistically challenged.

Ive had the before mentioned, very good aud tape for many years and I never get tired of it. What I like about it, it seems to be a very personal type performance. The inflection in Jerrys voice on Lazy River Road is sweet as well as Bobby's on Masterpiece. I just love hearing the boys harmonize so well and during this time they sound so in sync. JUST PLAIN BEAUTIFUL!

I'm at home working, and listening to gdradio, when this show came on. WOW - I just jumped over to lama and am downloading it as I listen to it.

Nice Show.

C'mon, y'all! Considering that Grateful Dead soundboards can only be streamed (a feat I have yet to master as I drive 100 miles daily to and from work across the Arizona desert...), let's just keep this an official Phil Lesh & Friends show, PLEASE.

If ppl keep referring to this as a "semi-official" GD show, the soundboard may disappear. So, DL it now...and remember -- Grateful Dead? naw, this is a Phil Lesh & Friends show.

And, BTW, it's really, really sweet. The Attics, Cassidy > Bird Song > Throwing Stones is just so great. Jerry, we miss ya big-time. And, Phil, thanks for keeping this download accessible. We love ya!
Jac from Tucson, aka
tucsondeadhead@yahoo.com

would be to add to this to the dead section...hindsight is 2020 this time...ha! If it were there you wouldnt be able to DL it. Phil should upload all his kindness this way! Thank you Phil again! And now for a review....This shows is hip, solid, heavy and right on! Get it while you can and then read the reviews of how grate it is!

I think this is the first real Phil and Friends show. If this isn't 5 stars I don't know what is. Gotta be the best Attics of My Life I ever heard and the Cassidy is awesome if only because of the casual acoustic setting and magic in the air. It seems like they knew it was a send-off in a way. Berkeley Community is where after 30 years of touring the Dead had come full circle to their roots at a classic home venue with this unusual spur of the moment show. Vince stands out here folks. Jerry sounds good but more like Father Time than ever. He always enjoyed acoustic stuff more than the Dead anyway. This board is too clean. Soldier says download and be merry.

Thanks, Phil!!

Rock on...

first of all this is a great, crisp SBD of a tasty show. jerry's flubs aside, everyone's playing is at their acoustic best. and for you anti-welnicks out there, check out the bird song and tell me he's not a great player. one of my favorite 90's performances for sure.

This rare Berkeley event was near impossible to record from the audience because the crowd was so explosive. You can hear it faintly on this recording, but at the show it was uproarious and thundering applause. I tried to tape and gave up. I am grateful to Phil this SB exists here in such beautiful condition. The event was pure acoustic magic and the last acoustic event with Jerry (I believe).

It is a refined, short show, but very well played. Notable to me is the vocal harmonies in Attics of My Life, and an exotic Cassidy>Birdsong jam.

If you like the acoustic Dead, this is must have.

Well, I forgot all about this one, and since it is listed in the Phil & Friends category, it took me a while to come across it as I am not huge on Phil & Friends post 8-9-95. But, indeed this is technically the first Phil Lesh & Friends show. So, I guess I can't say I don't like ALL the Phil & Friends shows. This is nothing against Phil, I absolutely love the guy, and saw enough Dead concerts to have probably paid for a year of Grahame's college education, I just don't jive with the Phil & Friends thing.

The show itself is a little on the sloppy side on Garcia's and Weir's part. Phil is barely audible in this mix (but he gets slightly louder throughout the set), and even with some EQ magic, he is a little distant. Vinnie, believe it or not in my opinion, gives the most solid performance of the night. Still 4 stars just for the cause which was most worthy, and the fact that it happened.

My favorite "Dead" show of 94, and the only acoustic Throwing Stones by the boys ever....Download!

One of my favorite things to listen to in this life of mine is acoustic GD. This show is everything a person with such an affinity could ever want.

The best of the last year. If someone knows of a better Childhood's End, then I'll be damned because this one is fantastic.

Great show, lazy river, is acoustic, Jerry sounds great Overall great sound can't lose...a grateful Jem

This marvelous show, the very first "Phil Lesh and Friends", is this result of Phil Lesh responding to the need of his old school's music program at Berkeley High. Tickets sold out in 20 minutes! For a complete story:
http://www.philzone.com/philbase/
You can find a review link (RV) in the show detail box on the 1958-1998 page. It's a very honest and informative review by a certain Nicholas Meriwether who, according to my search engine, apparently was born in 1631 and settled in Virginia. Talk about dead. Probably another Nicholas Meriwether went to this benefit I'm thinking. Maybe the one who worked on the deadlettersmagazine.com a few years ago. Anyway, read the review!

IÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂm in the process of downloading the rest of the show right now but my first impression is WOW. Sound quality is worth 6 stars. The introduction is actually quite amusing. Cassidy is excellent, shades of acoustic 1980. GarciaÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs playing sounds superb. I must admit I only saw three Dead shows after Brent died and I was working for the opening band so I didnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt get to experience the shows like I used to. I was unaware of JerryÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs carpal tunnel. It doesnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt seem to be an issue here. Dupree's Diamond Blues sounds phenomenal as well. IÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂve never been a fan of Vince but heÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs actually quite good on a piano. Worth the download for certain.

I just stumbled across this one. What a gem. If you like acoustic music, this is definitely for you. Sweet playing AND singing as well. Does anyone know the background of this performance? Was this some kind of benefit show? Regardless, it is a real treat, and a million thanks to Archive.com and all of the selfless people that make it happen for all of us.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!

To echo other sentiments here, this really does belong in the GD section, but I'm NOT complaining. I've had an audience version that ended halfway through "Attics", a truely painful experience. The sound is great, the performance great, and why are you wasting time reading, when you should be downloading this treasure? Thank you to those responsible. A big 5 stars!

It's a toss-up between this crispy, very fine sound board and the scheops audience recording. The show itself: anyone who loved Jerry Garcia and his incredible musical contribution to humanity
needs to hear this. A late career acoustic performance with longtime mates Bobby and Phil, makes for a very special evening of music. Vince adds some wonderful color and flourishes. Stand out tunes for me are the "Dupree's" and "Attics of my Life" (and kudos to Robert Hunter for penning such a sweet and lonesome soliloquy). Consider doing what Im doing: Download, grab a cold bottle of Brooklyn Lager, put on some good quality headphones and smile, smile, smile. P.S. In agreement with the previous review, adding this show into the Grateful Dead category would not be a bad move at all.

This is the famous "unplugged" show with Bobby's rap in the beginning.
Very cool as I have never seen a soundboard of this. The widely circulated AUD source is pretty good, especially during Throwing Stones where you can hear the taper going "Ashes ashes all fall down" along with the band. Anyway the soundboard version is much cleaner and clearer. The beand seems to be in a very good mood and are talkative in the beginning. Great to hear some of the last days of real good Jerry acoustic.
This is a must have!
It really should be in the GD section IMHO.